City of Dunfermline Area Committee remains committed to tackling poverty

The City of Dunfermline Area Committee has shown unwavering support for ongoing anti-poverty and wellbeing initiatives.

Today (Tuesday 4 February 2025), the area committee agreed to continue funding essential projects that are significantly impacting the area:

Winter Support 2025

A £30,000 contribution from the Local Community Planning Area Budget (Anti-Poverty) was approved to support various community initiatives over the Winter period of 2025/26. The funding supports the "Warm and Welcoming Places" project, which addresses the cost-of-living crisis and supports health and wellbeing priorities by reducing social isolation. In 2023/24, 12 organisations were supported:

  • Nine food projects: Community cafes and pantry provisions served hot meals, averaging 41 attendances per café session and pantries saw an average attendance of 50 per week.
  • Three activity-based projects: Free community activities, such as those provided by Fairway Fife and Tartan Talkers, supported individuals with additional needs and those experiencing mental health issues.

Anti-poverty staffing

An allocation of £78,338 was agreed to support four key positions:

  • Welfare Support Worker (18 hours): This role focuses on crisis prevention and welfare support, helping individuals and families maximise their income through benefit maximisation checks and training local groups and organisations. Outreach welfare support has already reached 134 individuals since April 2024.
  • Community Education Worker (6 hours): Instrumental in developing the Baldridgeburn Garden Kitchen Café and Pantry, with 1496 attendances across 50 weeks and 197 memberships, reaching 377 people.
  • Anti-poverty Support Officer (36 hours): Vital for gathering information, managing funding, and supporting local groups to ensure effective anti-poverty work across the city. The Dunfermline Poverty Action Group has extended membership to 114 individuals from various organisations.
  • Community Food Tutor (12 hours): Focuses on increasing cooking skills and knowledge, promoting energy efficiency, and reducing food waste through various community courses and outreach programs.

Health & Social Care Partnership - community led support

£19,827 was given to fund a part-time Link Officer for The Well. This role has been crucial in raising awareness and providing support to 189 individuals from July to November 2024, a 45% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The Link Officer will continue to build partnerships, raise awareness in educational settings and local employers, and support The City of Dunfermline's Cash First Pilot.

These projects have collectively made a substantial impact on the community by:

  • Reducing social isolation and supporting mental health through "Warm and Welcoming Places."
  • Maximising income and providing crisis prevention support via welfare services.
  • Promoting community engagement and volunteering through the development of community gardens, cafes, and pantries.
  • Increasing knowledge of cooking skills and energy efficiency to combat food insecurity.
  • Enhancing awareness and support for health and social care needs through The Well and community hubs.

City of Dunfermline Area Committee Convener, Cllr James Calder praised the initiatives, saying: “We’re immensely proud of the success these projects have achieved in the community. The continued support from the City of Dunfermline Area Committee reflects our commitment to addressing poverty and promoting wellbeing across the city. 
“These initiatives not only provide essential services and support but also foster a sense of community and resilience.”

Committee papers